Hagen

June 26th, 2012 at 6:14 PM ^

In the second year with Borges running the show, I can't wait to see the improvements Denard will make as he becomes more comfortable running the show.  Plus, Borges really hasn't had someone like Denard before (besides, you know, Denard last year) to really come up with some creative stuff....can't wait for this season to get here.

Joined: 03/03/2012

MGoPoints: 1014

M - Flightsci

June 26th, 2012 at 10:08 PM ^

I see sophomore maintenance instead of a Rich Rod-esque 2nd year leap.  I think if Denard had a third year in the system, we would see a really incredible season out of him.  It's unfortunate and really hard to believe this is his last season.  What an icon he's become.

 

If we see 3 dominant games out of him a la Nebraska/tOSU 2011, I'll be pretty thrilled with the offensive progression.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 462

CoachBP623

June 26th, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^

I disagree. I believe you would be correct if he weren't a senior. I'm a passing game coordinator at a private HS in update Ny. My staff took over when our qb was a junior with 9 starts under his belt. While its obviously less complex then Borges' offense our qb struggled in year one he was 51 percent and had no real feel on when to scramble or throw it away. However as a senior he went up to 60% with 350 yards on the ground with better decision making and rapport with the WR's. The only reason I can make this comparison is the prior staff ran a similar system to what RR did while we are a pro style offense with a multitude of formations and motions.

I believe toward the end of last year that Denard finally started to get a great feel on how to scramble -- I think that improves or at worst stays the same. His passing was hit or miss but the timing and precision that pro style routes takes to be properly executed is much more difficult then the usual one read spread progression off heavy run action. Given another year with this system I think he improves his percentage and utilizes his check down more instead of throwing it up or away. Finally as senior in Hokes system it's his team and he and the rest of the seniors have bonded. They have come together all offseason with their trip with the Navy Seals to their youth camps and charitable work and leadership inventory. I believe his overall prowess improves and he will be better. It's going to be the cast around him that dictates our wolverines success this season.

Joined: 06/03/2012

MGoPoints: 228

Roachgoblue

June 26th, 2012 at 6:45 PM ^

Even though they have a much smaller fan base they always win this stuff. They sit and vote millions of times. I live in Nebraska and it is all we have to do. No pro teams, 2 lakes that suck in a 500 mille radius, and cow crap.

Joined: 08/29/2011

MGoPoints: 1477

Phil Brickma

June 26th, 2012 at 8:24 PM ^

Burkhead is a pretty solid player. Martinez is more of a shot putter than a quarterback. Burkhead is a horse that would be more effective if the Cornhuskers had anything resembling a passing game.

That being said, no one should be close to Denard and Fitz.

Joined: 06/24/2012

MGoPoints: 2010

Wisconsin Wolverine

June 27th, 2012 at 1:20 PM ^

I don't think this is the most telling comparison.  Fitz wasn't even a starter until the 2nd half of the season.  His numbers look really good compared to Rex's when you consider how much less time he spent playing & his average carry.  Plus our boys scored more TDs (45 to 39).  Plus Rex looks like QWOP when he throws.

Joined: 05/18/2011

MGoPoints: 2382

ChicagoB1GRed

June 27th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^

there's not much left. Number of starts, number of carries/pass attempts, injuries, being pulled out of a game early with a big lead, you could go on and on. And who knows, maybe Fitz's production would have diminished over a full season.

Its a pretty simple proposition in the poll, who's the best tandem, and total rushing and passing yards is about as universal a yardstick as possible in this case, taking in account all types of offenses.

But if a slight edge in TD's and yards per attempt carry the argument for you, so be it, DR-Fiitz are great in my book and this is a Michigan board so you should like your guys the best.

Anyway, good way to pass the time until FB starts.

I

Joined: 06/10/2010

MGoPoints: 1207

Wisconsin Wolverine

June 27th, 2012 at 2:29 PM ^

I like Rex a lot & I think he had a great year.  I think he'll probably have another great year.  I don't mean to make an extremely detailed examination of the numbers, I guess what I really mean is this - Rex got to put in a full season's worth of production, which I think accurately reflects his skills & the work he does.  Fitz got like half a season, so I don't think his total yardage matches his ability as closely.  If the question was "Which B1G tandem had the best season in 2011?" then I think total yardage would be a great indicator.  But if we're asking about who we think are the best players now, I'd have to side with Fitz & Denard, because I think Fitz is still on the rise.

 

I didn't even realize until after your response that you were a Husker fan :)  Now I feel bad.  That QWOP thing was a joke, kind of.  Speaking of passing the time: 

http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html

Joined: 05/18/2011

MGoPoints: 2382

ChicagoB1GRed

June 27th, 2012 at 2:39 PM ^

there's so many ways to look at it--and naturally we'll look through our red or blue tinted glasses. 

I consider myself a guest on this board, so for the sake of good manners, I never get on here to bash Michigan. But I expect to get a little kidding so no harm done.

Just trying to give you guys a little different viewpoint, and who better than from not only a rival fan but a fan from the newest member of the B1G.

Really enjoyed watching Denard last year except during our game.....

Joined: 06/10/2010

MGoPoints: 1207

Wisconsin Wolverine

June 27th, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^

I like having fans of the other B1G schools on here.  It's like spotting a rare animal or something.  Actually I like having you all here because it means you're the type of people who love college football in general enough to talk about it with us despite the Michigan-centric nature of the forum.  And hopefully it means that mgoblog has a good enough community/discussions that such efforts are rewarding for you as well.  

Joined: 05/18/2011

MGoPoints: 2382

Darth Wolverine

June 27th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^

And a lot of the butthurt is coming from loser Sparty fans. They know their time is coming. My GOD I can't wait for that game. I hope Brady just decides to run the score up and up and up. I don't care about sportsmanship when it comes to this game (just this year). I want a five or more TD victory. Of course I will take a victory of any margin though (obviously).

Joined: 11/30/2009

MGoPoints: 2008

maiznblue

June 26th, 2012 at 9:06 PM ^

Why does it say, "What will be the Big Ten's top offensive tandem in 2011?"

Pretty sure it shouldn't be asking for future projections in 2011...

Joined: 10/30/2010

MGoPoints: 198

M - Flightsci

June 26th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^

If DeVier Posey was returning with Braxon Miller, I think they would have been a force to be reckoned with in the B1G.  I am haunted with visions of Miller becoming Troy Smith's Michigan-killing visage with his superior athleticism and ability to scramble.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 462

M - Flightsci

June 27th, 2012 at 9:32 PM ^

I was not particularly impressed with Mattison's scheming against Ohio's fairly inept (season-long, speaking) offense.  Granted, they pretty much threw the kitchen sink at us, but the NFL-style calls he made nearly cost us free TD's on a couple occasions, saved only by Miller's misses (I suppose I contradict my original post here).  I actually find this difficult to type as I've been a huge fan of him and think he is probably a key part of Hoke's success.

 

Hell, I should quit while I'm ahead.  At least he's aggressive, and I haven't seen Chris Graham matched up on Gonzo yet.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 462

Darth Wolverine

June 27th, 2012 at 12:19 PM ^

I am amazed I didn't see someone say something like, "Well, I would like to vote for Michigan players, but I truly think these other guys on this team will be better."

In stupid, random fan polls like these, vote for Michigan no matter what. It's about Michigan's being recognized.

Joined: 11/30/2009

MGoPoints: 2008

Scarlatina

June 27th, 2012 at 1:35 PM ^

That Monte Ball and Jared Abbrederis are not leading the poll.  Monte Ball being a returning leading rusher of the Big Ten and former Heisman candidate, and I believe Jared Abbrederis was 2nd in the Big Ten for receptions last year.

I know Danny O'Brien is a new starter, but considering the quality of Wisconsin's O-line ever year and the fact that Monte Ball will be there to take pressure off of him, it should be a relatively easy transition for Brien.

Joined: 12/22/2011

MGoPoints: 2379